HD Festival – Forest Farm (December 2013)

In this case Asitha represented the Metropolitan Police who were supporting a local resident's review of the High Definition Festival held during one weekend each year in the London Borough of Redbridge. The capacity for the event was 15 000 people. The Police were seeking revocation based on a double stabbing at the event in 2013, and high levels of drug use observed during the weekend. A number of responsible authorities supported the review, but none specifically sought revocation of the licence. Over a whole day, the Sub-Committee heard evidence from all of the parties including a number of police witnesses. The premises put forward a new reputable operator who would manage the event in 2014 as well as a range of conditions to meet concerns and a reduction in capacity to 12 500 people. In a detailed decision, the Sub-Committee agreed with the police concerns and decided to revoke the licence.